The NNPC/Seplat joint venture has equipped 127 teachers and education evaluators with digital teaching techniques and alternative income-generation skills.
The beneficiaries received training through the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP), with the first Imo cohort graduating in Owerri.
Seplat’s director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Chioma Afe, disclosed this at the graduation ceremony on Sunday.
Ms Afe, represented by Esther Icha, general manager, Corporate Social Investment and Social Performance, said STEP strengthens teachers’ professional development.
She added that the programme also seeks to make teachers economically resourceful while creating a lasting impact in their communities.
Ms Afe said the joint venture’s education investment reflected its belief that empowering teachers remains an effective way to transform communities.
She said STEP had previously been implemented in Edo and Delta states, where more than 2,000 teachers had been trained.
She said the Imo edition represented the programme’s first intervention in the state.
Ms Afe urged the graduating teachers to see their certificates as the beginning of greater responsibility and leadership in their communities.
She said: “Take the digital skills you have acquired into your classrooms, share your knowledge with fellow teachers, and encourage your students to learn, explore and innovate.”
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She said the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by the students inspired, colleagues supported and communities influenced by the beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Olanrewaju Igandan, chief upstream investment officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), described teachers as “critical channels for knowledge transfer to younger generations.”
Mr Igandan, represented by Chizoba Onyike, subsurface operations adviser, NUIMS, thanked stakeholders for contributing to the programme’s success.
He wished the graduating teachers success in their future endeavours.
Earlier, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo, represented by Commissioner for Education, Bertram Ikegwuoha, urged beneficiaries to positively influence their students.
Mr Uzodimma thanked Seplat and NNPC for the initiative and urged the teachers to embody STEP’s motto: “Teach. Inspire. Transform.”
Choice Nwachukwu emerged as the overall winner after presenting a concept on antiseptic production, scoring 432 points and receiving N500,000.
Obinna Anele, who presented unripe plantain flour, placed second with 425 points and received a N300,000 grant.
Golden Ezekwe, whose business concept focused on braiding, placed third with 421 points and received N200,000.
(NAN)
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